G Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)
Notes in the G Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭2 | Altered 2nd | G# | 415.305 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | A# | 466.164 Hz |
| 3 | Major Mediant | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♯4 | Tritone | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | F | 349.228 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G | G# |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G# | A# |
| 3 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A# | B |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | C# |
| 5 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C# | D |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 8 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | G diminished | diminished |
| ♭2 | G# | G# diminished | diminished |
| ♭3 | A# | A# diminished | diminished |
| 3 | B | B diminished | diminished |
| ♯4 | C# | C# diminished | diminished |
| 5 | D | D diminished | diminished |
| 6 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| ♭7 | F | F diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
1 ♯ — The G key signature uses F#.
G Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) in Practice
The G Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) uses the key signature of 1 sharp (F#). G major has one sharp (F#) and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and rock music. Its open, resonant quality makes it ideal for guitar-based music. On guitar, G positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The half-whole diminished scale alternates half and whole steps, creating an 8-note symmetrical scale ideal for dominant chord improvisation and tension-building in jazz.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: G Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) Positions
The G key offers 1 sharp (F#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like G are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.